3rd wave | open voice

[rebonding]

Hey! Korra, here-

Would anyone happen to know anything about fighting with swords? I got a pair from the "Krissmis" ship. I think they're Fire Nation... [not that anybody is going to have a clue what that means...] Broadswords, maybe? They look pretty old fashion, but they're in good shape.

I just have no idea how to use them. I want to, though! I could pay for lessons and everything.

Comments

[rebonding]

So they're like soldiers?

[And, of course, the inevitable question come immediately afterward:]

Are they benders?

[forthevillage]

Benders?

[Now it's his turn to be unfamiliar with a term.]

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

[rebonding]

[A sigh.]

Guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Bending is... I don't know, most people here seem to call it some kind of magic fighting.

[Even thought it TOTALLY ISN'T. But she's not even going to try to argue that anymore.]

But it's extending your chi beyond your body to control the elements. If that means anything to you.

[forthevillage]

Ninja use chakra to do something similar, with most ninja restricted to one or two elements at most.

[He doesn't think he would call it "magic fighting", though someone completely unfamiliar with their ways might.]

It is used with ninjutsu, but I doubt it's the same sort of technique entirely.

[rebonding]

Most benders can only bend one element. It's ethnically based; either you're born with it or you're not. So yeah, I guess it's pretty different.

[forthevillage]

Ethnically based? So elements are passed down through a certain people or region?

In that way, it sounds a little like the blood traits inherent to specific ninja clans.

[rebonding]

Yeah, there are four nations, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. So, for example, someone from the Water Tribe would be born a waterbender.

[forthevillage]

If they are born with bending at all. Is that what you were inferring?

[rebonding]

Right. Not everyone is born a bender. Most people aren't, really.

[forthevillage]

And these benders - do they have their own regulators and hierarchy?

[rebonding]

[It takes her a moment to figure out what he's asking.]

Not their own... Benders and nonbenders are all part of the same people. There's politics and social movements about "equality" all wrapped up in it now, thanks to some extremist guy claiming that benders are oppressive, but... that's another whole story.

[Another whole story that really pisses her off, but she won't go there.]

[forthevillage]

Do you not think they are?

[Though ninja in their villages act as protectors, there will always be those who seek nothing but power.]

Do benders protect those that cannot control the elements?

[rebonding]

I think he was full of platypus-bear poo. His followers were all people who were victims of the Triple Threats.

["All," Korra? Really?]

It's a gang violence problem, not a bender problem. Benders make up the majority of the nations' military forces, and the police force in Republic City is so effective because they're benders.

[forthevillage]

I know nothing about your world, but I do know that unregulated power often invites corruption.

No matter the source of it, such corruption is always going to bring unease. To dismiss it will only cause the rift to grow larger.

[rebonding]

Yeah, it's... pretty complicated. The situation has settled down a lot in the past few months, but it's... difficult.

[forthevillage]

And you?

[A topic change, but only a slight one.]

What do you do with your bending?

[rebonding]

Well... I'm the Avatar. The only person who can bend all four elements. So it's my job to maintain balance within my world... Whatever that may mean at the time.

[forthevillage]

...You have been given an impossible task.

I do not envy you.

[rebonding]

I've been figuring that out lately myself. The Avatar's life cycles in a chain. When I die, another will be born to take my place, and so on.

[forthevillage]

Are you ever truly successful? Have they been?

[rebonding]

I... think it's more of an ongoing duty than a singular task.

[forthevillage]

It must be incredibly daunting.

I have witnessed difficulties in a village maintaining the balance between clans within its own walls. Facing that on a global scale seems impossible.

[rebonding]

It can be pretty freaky, yeah. Feeling like you always have to do the right thing, but... you don't really know what is the right thing...

I've certainly messed it up more often than I've gotten it right.

[forthevillage]

Is that really something to be laid on the shoulders of one person?

[rebonding]

It... can be a bit much.

[That's all she is willing to really say about that particular question.]